Survey into the Causes of Consistent Failure in SSCE in English Language in Yobe State: A Study of Yobe, Zamfara, Abia and Edo States’ Secondary School

Abstract

This study surveys the causes of massive failure in Senior School Certificate Examination. (SSCE). It investigates the causes of students’ massive failure in English language in 47 Secondary Schools in Yobe state. It seeks to find out the major elements that bring about persistent and consistent setback to students’ success in their final year of examination. The study uses mixed methods as a means of data collection which include both qualitative and quantitative sets of data. The study was conducted for a period of seven months.  Where some selected secondary schools were visited to administer questionnaires in Zamfara, Edo and Abia States. The findings of the study revealed that among other things, lack of qualified language teachers, poor state of infrastructure, curricular, and students’ attitudes toward learning generally are the main causes of heavy failure in Yobe State. The study finally suggests that the government should set up very strong supervisory team that will look after truant teachers.